Section
Visas
Eligibility, requirements, and the path through each visa category. 77 pages.
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A
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Allows accredited New Zealand employers to recruit non-NZ workers for genuine skill shortages.
Active Investor Plus Visa
Allows high‑net‑worth individuals to apply for residence by investing in acceptable managed funds or direct investments in New Zealand.
Afghan Emergency Resettlement Category
Provides a time-limited humanitarian residence category for Afghan citizens evacuated to New Zealand who held specific Critical Purpose Visitor visas or entered before 12 September 2021.
Antarctic Treaty Personnel Work Visa
Permits members of scientific programmes under the Antarctic Treaty to work on the New Zealand mainland for the period of their assignment.
Approved Work Exchange Scheme Visa
Allows participants in INZ-approved work exchange schemes to undertake employment in New Zealand, subject to an annual cap of 1000 places and specific evidence requirements.
B
Business Investor Residence Visa
Permanent residence category for holders of a Business Investor Work Visa who have successfully purchased and operated a qualifying business in New Zealand.
Business Investor Work Visa (BD)
A temporary work visa for applicants who have applied for or are invited to apply for the Business Investor Category residence.
Business Relocation Work Visa (BE5.10)
Allows a principal applicant approved in principle under the Employees of Relocating Businesses category to enter New Zealand on a work visa to arrange business relocation.
C
China Skilled Workers Visa
Allows Chinese nationals with a full‑time job offer in a listed skilled occupation to work in New Zealand for up to three years, subject to annual quotas and a three‑year stand‑down.
China Special Work Visa
Allows limited numbers of citizens of the People's Republic of China with specific qualifications and a full-time New Zealand job offer to work in New Zealand under international trade commitments.
Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category Pilot
Enables approved community organisations to sponsor mandated refugees and their families for permanent residence under a capped pilot programme.
D
Dependent Child Resident Visa
Allows dependent children of eligible New Zealand residents or citizens to obtain residence, meeting age and dependency requirements.
Diplomatic, Consular, and Official Staff Visa
Allows diplomatic, consular, and official staff with confirmed privileges and immunities to travel to New Zealand for their posting.
Domestic Staff of Diplomatic, Consular and Official Staff Work Visa
Allows diplomatic, consular and official staff posted to New Zealand to bring domestic staff such as cooks, nannies, drivers and gardeners with them.
Domestic Staff of Seconded Senior Executives Work Visa
Allows domestic workers who were an integral part of a senior executive's lifestyle to accompany them on a New Zealand secondment, under strict conditions.
E
Entrepreneur Residence Visa (BH)
Allows entrepreneurs who have successfully established a business in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Work Visa to apply for residence.
Entrepreneur Work Visa (BB)
Temporary entry class visa for entrepreneurs to establish or buy a business in NZ, with applications accepted until 25 August 2025 unless exceptions apply.
F
G
H
I
K
L
Limited Visa
Allows a person to come to New Zealand for an express purpose where no other temporary visa is appropriate, with strict limitations on further applications and onshore status changes.
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
Closed work visa for skilled workers with a job offer in a LTSSL occupation; new applications not accepted after 31 October 2021.
M
Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa (MEPV)
Enables migrant workers on employer-supported work visas to leave exploitative workplaces and obtain a bridging work visa.
Military Visa
Enables members of a visiting force and crew of military craft to obtain a multiple-entry military visa for the duration of official duties in New Zealand.
P
Pacific Access Category
Allows up to 250 citizens each of Fiji and Tonga, and 75 each of Tuvalu and Kiribati to gain residence each year through a ballot draw and an acceptable job offer in New Zealand.
Parent Boost Visitor Visa
A visitor visa subcategory for parents of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders, enabling extended temporary stays with specific insurance and sponsorship requirements.
Parent Category Residence Visa
Allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residence class visa holders to live in New Zealand through a two-stage EOI and residence application process under the Parent Category.
Parent Retirement Category Visa
Enables parents of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders to retire in New Zealand by making a qualifying investment and meeting settlement fund requirements.
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
Allows partners of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders to work temporarily if the relationship is genuine and stable.
Partnership Category Residence Visa
Allows the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident to apply for residence based on their genuine and stable relationship.
Pathway Student Visa Pilot
Allows international students to study a pathway of up to three consecutive programmes on a single student visa.
Permanent Resident Visa (PRV)
How resident visa holders or former holders can obtain a permanent resident visa by demonstrating commitment to New Zealand.
Permanent resident visa for refugees and protected persons
Allows refugees and protected persons recognised in New Zealand to apply for a permanent resident visa, subject to eligibility exclusions and mass arrival restrictions.
Philippines Work Visa
Allows limited numbers of citizens of the Philippines in certain occupations (nurses, farm managers, engineering professionals) to be granted a work visa.
Pitcairn Islander Resident Visa
Special resident visa for Pitcairn Islanders who have a skilled job offer from a compliant NZ employer, recognising limited employment opportunities on Pitcairn Island.
Pitcairn Islander Work Visa
Temporary work visa for Pitcairn Islanders who have applied for residence, allowing up to 9 months of employment in New Zealand with a job offer.
Post-Study Work Visa
Allows graduates of New Zealand qualifications to work after completing their study.
R
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Visa
Allows accredited horticulture and viticulture employers to recruit non-NZ workers for seasonal work when local labour is insufficient.
Refugee Family Support Category
Enables refugees and protected persons to sponsor certain family members for residence under a capped two-tier system.
Refugee Quota Family Reunification Category
Enables mandated refugees resident in New Zealand to sponsor immediate family members for permanent residence under the Refugee Quota programme.
Religious Worker Work Visa
Allows religious workers sponsored by a registered charitable religious organisation to undertake genuine religious work in New Zealand.
Residence Category for Victims of Family Violence
Allows partners of New Zealand citizens or residents who have experienced family violence to apply for residence when they cannot return home due to stigma or lack of financial support.
Residence Category for Victims of People Trafficking
Enables victims of people trafficking to remain in New Zealand when they cannot return home due to danger, risk of re-victimisation, or stigma and financial hardship.
Residence from Work Category
Outlines residence pathways for individuals holding specific New Zealand work visas.
Residual PAC Places Category
Fills unfilled annual quota places under the Pacific Access Category by calling for resident visa applications from eligible citizens of those countries who are already in New Zealand.
Residual Quota Places Category
Allows Samoan citizens in New Zealand to apply for residence when the Samoan Quota Scheme annual ballot leaves unfilled places.
S
Samoan Quota Scheme
Allows up to 1,100 Samoan citizens per year to gain residence through a ballot draw and an acceptable job offer in New Zealand.
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa
Allows former resident visa holders whose travel conditions have expired to obtain a new resident visa.
Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa
Allows holders of a Silver Fern Job Search visa or previous Silver Fern Practical Experience visa with a 12+ month skilled job offer to gain work experience in New Zealand.
Skilled Migrant Category Job Search Work Visa
Allows certain Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) applicants without skilled employment to obtain a work visa for job search in New Zealand.
Skilled Migrant Residence
Sets out the criteria for skilled workers to obtain residence while supporting New Zealand’s economic growth by granting visas to those filling medium to long term skill needs.
South Island Contribution Work Visa
Allows well-settled temporary migrant workers in the South Island to apply for a work visa recognising their contribution to regional labour markets.
Special Samoan Quota Places Category
Allows certain Samoan citizens with an undecided pre-2005 Residual Quota Places Category application to obtain residence after withdrawing that application.
Special Work Visa for Refugee or Protection Status Claimants
Allows refugee and protection status claimants who show a need to work and have a confirmed claim to work in a specified occupation while their claim is being determined.
Special Work Visa for Victims of Family Violence
Temporary work visa for victims of family violence under INZ operational instructions WI7.
Special Work Visa for Victims of People Trafficking
Enables victims of people trafficking in New Zealand to obtain a temporary work visa under the Special Work stream.
Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa
Allows individuals to come to New Zealand for a time-bound specific purpose or event, including business secondments, sports engagements, entertainment work, and equipment installation.
Student and Trainee Work Visa
Allows eligible students, trainees, jockeys, and religious trainees to undertake practical training, work experience, or apprenticeship in New Zealand.
Student Exchange Scheme Visa
Temporary student visa for participants in an approved student exchange scheme, allowing study for the length of the exchange.
Student Visa
Requirements for obtaining a New Zealand student visa under section U3 of the Operational Manual.
Student Visa for Child Victims of People Trafficking
Allows child victims of people trafficking to study at primary or secondary school in New Zealand with a 12-month student visa.
Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Visa
Allows horticulture and viticulture employers to hire onshore non-NZ workers for seasonal work when peak labour demand exceeds the available NZ workforce.
T
Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Visa
Historical visa category for accredited employers; no new initial applications are accepted, but existing holders may apply for subsequent work visas while a residence application is pending.
Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work Visa
Allows individuals with exceptional talent in arts, culture, or sports to work in New Zealand with support from a nationally reputed organisation.
Thai Chefs Work Visa
Permits skilled Thai chefs with specified qualifications and work experience to take up full-time employment in New Zealand without a labour market check under international trade commitments.
Transit Visa
A transit visa is required for individuals travelling through New Zealand to another destination unless they fall within specified exemption categories.
U
V
Vietnam Special Work Instructions
Allows limited numbers of Vietnamese citizens with full-time job offers in certain occupations to be granted a work visa.
Visiting Media Programme (VMP)
Allows invited foreign media professionals to work in New Zealand for up to one month without a work visa.
Visitor Visa
Temporary entry to New Zealand for tourism, visiting family, business, and other short‑term lawful purposes.
W
Work Visa for Partners of Military Visa Holders
Enables partners of military visa holders to obtain open work visas for the same period as the military visa, without a job offer, funds, or onward travel requirements.
Working Holiday Visa
Allows young people from partner countries to work and travel in New Zealand, with a possible extension for seasonal horticulture or viticulture work.